76-5-113 (Effective 07/01/11) - Surreptitious administration of certain substances -- Definitions -- Penalties -- Defenses. - Utah Statutes

76-5-113 (Effective 07/01/11). Surreptitious administration of certain substances --Definitions -- Penalties -- Defenses.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Administer" means the introduction of a substance into the body by injection,inhalation, ingestion, or by any other means.
(b) "Alcoholic beverage" has the same meaning as "alcoholic beverage" in Section32B-1-102.
(c) "Bodily injury" has the same definition as in Section 76-1-601.
(d) "Controlled substance" has the same definition as in Section 58-37-2.
(e) "Deleterious substance" means a substance which, if administered, would likely causebodily injury.
(f) "Poisonous" means a substance which, if administered, would likely cause seriousbodily injury or death.
(g) "Prescription drug" has the same definition as in Section 58-17b-102.
(h) "Serious bodily injury" has the same definition as in Section 19-2-115.
(i) "Substance" means a controlled substance, poisonous substance, or deleterioussubstance as defined in this Subsection (1).
(2) In addition to any other offense the actor's conduct may constitute, it is a criminaloffense for a person, surreptitiously or by means of fraud, deception, or misrepresentation, tocause another person to unknowingly consume or receive the administration of:
(a) any poisonous, deleterious, or controlled substance; or
(b) any alcoholic beverage.
(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is:
(a) a second degree felony if the substance is a poisonous substance, regardless ofwhether the substance is a controlled substance or a prescription drug;
(b) a third degree felony if the substance is not within the scope of Subsection (3)(a), andis a controlled substance or a prescription drug; and
(c) a class A misdemeanor if the substance is a deleterious substance or an alcoholicbeverage.
(4) (a) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under Subsection (2) that the actor:
(i) provided the appropriate administration of a prescription drug; and
(ii) acted on the reasonable belief that the actor's conduct was in the best interest of thewell-being of the person to whom the prescription drug was administered.
(b) (i) The defendant shall file and serve on the prosecuting attorney a notice in writingof the defendant's intention to claim a defense under Subsection (4)(a) not fewer than 20 daysbefore the trial.
(ii) The notice shall specifically identify the factual basis for the defense and the namesand addresses of the witnesses the defendant proposes to examine to establish the defense.
(c) The prosecuting attorney shall file and serve the defendant with a notice containingthe names and addresses of the witnesses the prosecutor proposes to examine in order tocontradict or rebut the defendant's claim of an affirmative defense under Subsection (4)(a). Thisnotice shall be filed or served not more than 10 days after receipt of the defendant's notice underSubsection (4)(b), or at another time as the court may direct.
(d) (i) Failure of a party to comply with the requirements of Subsection (4)(b) or (4)(c)entitles the opposing party to a continuance to allow for preparation.

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(ii) If the court finds that a party's failure to comply is the result of bad faith, it mayimpose appropriate sanctions.
(5) This section does not diminish the scope of authorized health care by a health careprovider as defined in Section 26-23a-1.

Amended by Chapter 276, 2010 General Session